Anam Latif

Construction and Navigation of Disempowerment Paradox

School research theme: Management of projects
Research supervisor: Dr Stefano Miraglia and John Kelsey
Start date: September 2018

Contradiction, divergent goals , and nested tensions are a complex yet essential part of both organisations and projects. These contradictory tensions often result in more trade-offs, contested power structures and competing demands than synergetic or virtuous cycles. This is reflective especially in the case of mergers and transitions, where a disequilibrium in power emerges , leading to the construction of disempowerment paradox. This research is an attempt to both build and extend insight on how both empowerment and disempowerment can facilitate or restrict the agency and ability of individuals to navigate and respond to disempowerment paradox. Additionally, I also attempt to explore the responses to power disequilibrium being triggered and reinforced simultaneously in a non- linear manner.